The most common use of SaaS is in providing the business process model as an user interface of cahnge across all phases of process lifecycle. The business analyst from client companies can directly change process flows ,rule definitions and user intefaces via modelling environment.
At present most comapnies focus on on premises implementation of BPM rather than go for SaaS supported solutions. The proceses supported by SaaS are often not included in process improvment efforts.
The companies like Appian ,Lombardi and Metastorm are offering the business process modelling via SaaS model. Appian and Fujtisu has also tried hands on BPM solution through SaaS model.The Reasons for SaaS not taking off are following
- The agility of process modelling and process reenigneering is compromised in the SaaS model as SaaS is low cost model for accessing (not owning) the functionality.
- The predefined range of rules ,process flows and user interfaces doesnot make it enticing for an organization inclined to use BPM as process improvement and optimization tool.
How to best Utilize SaaS for BPM ?
The organizations should adopt SaaS for processea which are well define din the organization. The users should be able to see the BPM artifacts of SaaS model and share their understanding and suggestions with SaaS provider for developing customized SaaS BPM scenario. The comapnies should implement SaaS understanding the their objectives of implementation based on set of well defined KPI'S. The need for changes in processes should be clearly articulated with SaaS provider.
SaaS can be implemented intelligently for BPM solutions to achieve low cost business scenario .The organozations should understand the limit of implementing SaaS based model. The use of SaaS based model for Business process improvement and optimization has still a long way to go.
